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Puerto Rico Summer Vacay

August 11, 2016

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably caught that I recently traveled to Puerto Rico with Mark to celebrate the wedding of my friend/coworker, Amanda, to her longtime beau, Martin. We had been researching places to visit, restaurants to eat at, and things to see for about six months preceding the trip, and I still don’t think we were prepared! Puerto Rico has so much to offer.. The food was great, so much seafood, mofongo, and not overly sweet baked treats. There were museums, forts and cathedrals, and you pretty much had to take taxis wherever you wanted to go. We were lucky to have a little market called Pueblo right across from our condo, which made late-night beer runs and planning what to have for breakfast a whole lot easier. I tried to capture as much as I could, but also stay present in the moment so I could truly enjoy every experience. I hope you enjoy these pics from my Puerto Rico Summer Vacay!

Mark and I, pre-flight. Such cheeseballs.
Kimono / Bohocheri

A gratuitous in-flight cloud shot.

The grand chandelier in the lobby of our first hotel. I need this in my dining room.

Mark and I arrived a night before everyone else, so we decided to stay in downtown San Juan at the Casablanca Hotel. It certainly did have that old world kind of charm, and were thankful for the kickin’ AC.

After checking in to the hotel, we headed next door to Gringos, a Tex Mex restaurant/bar that specializes in “smoked” drinks. After a long day of flying, Mark and I definitely enjoyed testing a few of them out, along with some fantastic food and funky décor.

In the morning, we walked along these gorgeous streets in Old San Juan, in search of a delicious meal at the highly rated Caficultura. We were both left entirely underwhelmed at the whole experience, from the food, to the service, to the hammering and drilling going on in the back room. Shaking that off, we continued our morning of exploring little gift shows and boutiques, picking up some framed butterflies and art prints of the city.

Almost ready to meet up with everyone, the heat was really starting to get to me, more specifically my hair haha!
Tank / H&M // Necklace / Luv AJ from the Box of Style // Sunnies / Amazon

Finally, I meet up with Rebekah, her mom, Martin and the rest of the crew. There were 10 of us staying in a condo in San Juan, and we basically had the entire floor, with tons of room to spread out.
Top & Necklace / Banana Republic

Walking around the gorgeous blue brick streets of Old San Juan, and seeing the chapel at which the bride and groom would be married.
Top / Banana Republic // Jeans / MaviUSA from Stitch Fix // Sneakers / Superga // Bucket bag / Forever 21

Cathedral de San Juan Bautista.

Several gorgeous views while strolling around downtown.

The next day, while the girls and I wandered around some more downtown, Mark and the boys took a trip to the rainforest! I wanted to go, but it was kind of a boys bonding trip, and who am I to interrupt boy time? 😉

The next day, we took a trip to the beach!
Seriously, the most gorgeous beach I’ve ever been to. You could walk out in to the water 50 feet and still have your toes touching the sand. We stopped in to a hotel bar for refreshments and I loved their little lounge area.
Sarong / Mara Hoffman from the Box of Style

The next day was the wedding, but as an attendee (maid of honor), of course, I wasn’t able to take many pictures of the event. It started raining, but tapered off as we neared the start of the ceremony. After, we headed to the Marriott for the gorgeous reception and enjoyed our first of many drinks, haha.
Dress / ASOS // Heart necklace / Kyle Chan Design // Rings / Forever 21

The morning after the wedding, comfort food from Libros AC was just what I needed to get back to normal. I also picked up one of those adult coloring books, which I’d been wanting for a while. I love the idea of having a full-fledged bookstore and coffee shop under the same roof.

Mark and I decided to branch off from the rest of the group and spend our afternoon at the Museo de Arto. Unfortunately, they don’t allow any pictures inside the museum, but we did manage to take some great shots in the garden area. Miles of paths with works of art on either side, gorgeous trees and plants, and a huge coy pond.
Top / Stitch Fix // Jeans / MaviUSA from Stitch Fix // Necklace / Luv AJ from the Box of Style // Sneakers / Brooks Running // Sunnies / Amazon // Bucket bag / Forever 21

Our last dinner in town was spent with the whole crew, back in downtown Old San Juan. It just so happened to be National Pina Colada Day, and who am I to not partake in such an occasion? 🙂

On the plane ride home, we experienced some inclement weather, meaning circling Orlando for an hour, landing in Tampa to weight for a thunderstorm to pass, heading back to Orlando, and then to Phoenix then Ontario. About 12.5 hours on the same plane. Kind of my nightmare but we made it! I took this picture, thinking that the clouds looked like a wolf breathing fire or something, but Mark thought it, ahem.. Looked like something else. Boys..
Anyway, that is all, I hope you enjoyed my little recap of my Puerto Rico Vacay!

Palm Springs Weekend

July 20, 2015

I always like to plan something extra special for my boyfriend’s birthday, and this year something told me to pick Palm Springs! Some may think me crazy, Palm Springs in July, and yes it was hot, but entirely bearable! I wanted to pack a lot in to our two days out there and Mark had a great time, which all I can hope for 🙂

We started the morning off with breakfast at Serrano inside Casino Morongo. I ordered my standard of eggs benedict and it, and the service, were both outstanding.

I basically had to break several traffic laws to make it to the Living Desert to make it in time for the giraffe feeding. I knew it was something we absolutely had to do while out there. We both love animals and are all about the hands-on experiences.

After the zoo, we freshened up a bit and headed to Chi Chi’s at the newly renovated Avalon Hotel, formerly the Viceroy. I was super excited to try out this menu, after looking it over online. We were not disappointed and I would certainly return for the tasty bites and the California-casual chic vibes.

See what I mean? Gorgeous and relaxed. I could spend all day here, lounging around this room, around the pool, etc.

We checked in to our hotel, enjoyed a couples massage, went back to the room to shower and get ready for a lovely dinner at Trio in downtown Palm Springs. We shared a bottle of wine, a couple of entrees and dessert. After all of that indulging, we felt like walking around for a while, and we were in luck, because it was market night! We stopped in to one of my favorite Palm Springs haunts, Las Casuelas, for a round of drinks (for him a classic marg, for me, a Paloma.

I’m sad I didn’t get a better shot of this show-stopper, from designer Gabriela Cadena. It was a tiny but snug up top and around the waist, but the fabric on the bottom was so incredibly gorgeous, I got loads of compliments on it.
Gown – Gabriela Cadena – rented
Bag – vintage
Heels – Gucci

The next morning, we craved nothing more than to sip on a bloody Mary poolside while catching up on some reading.
Sarong – Mara Hoffman from the Box of Style

After that, we packed up, checked out, walked around downtown for a while then sat down for a late lunch at Lulus, another of my must-go-to’s in Palm Springs. Then began the shortish drive back home, but not without a stop at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, known to locals as Cabazon, where I picked up a few gems at the J.Crew outlet.

Leather envelope bag
Iridescent stone necklace
Jewelry dish
Cuff
Chevron bracelet

I was hoping to find some new skinny jeans for summer, but no such luck.
We were wiped after shopping for a few hours, so we happily headed home where our puppies were waiting for us and we went to sleep at 8:00. Party animals haha.

La Jolla, CA

February 7, 2015

Despite my hectic work schedule, I was able to get away last weekend with my honey to the amazingly beautiful coastal town of La Jolla, CA! We truly needed a little mini-vacay, and are so lucky to have so many options just a couple of hours drive away. We did have to cut things short to get back home to watch the Superbowl, but still had plenty of time to explore…

Late Friday night after checking in to the Inn, we were starved after a long work day and the drive. We came across the most quaint Italian restaurant and I ordered a seafood ravioli to rival any I’ve ever had before. Every bite was more extraordinary than the last. A bottle of chianti shared between us didn’t hurt either 😉

The next morning, we headed out for a little 3 mile jog along the coastline.

I brought along my newest New Balance running shoes to break in and came across this shell-flecked part of the path that I quickly fell in love with. The iridescent shades shimmered under the sun, and made me stop for a little while to appreciate such simple beauty.

NY

January 14, 2015

New York at the holidays. I can’t think of a more perfect time to visit. Yes, it was chilly, but that made it that more delightful to slip in to a little coffee shop for a cappuccino or French restaurant for a bowl of soup and to watch through the windows as people walk by. And, also, sales! In addition to the J.Crew jewelry I’ve already posted, I made my first ever venture into Inglot! I’ve been following the brand for a while now, but can’t exactly say that it’s accessible in the states. I was so happy to take a crash course tour of the island of Manhattan; below, some highlights.

Waiting for our flight, I started a new book and cozied up in my new snow boots from Sorel. Coat from Forever 21, bucket bag from Old Navy.

My accessories layout at our hotel room. I wanted to stick with one metal tone (gold, duh!) versatile scarves (cream/navy, black and leopard), and a couple of pairs of sunnies.
Jewelry from Jewelmint, J.Crew, BaubleBar, Bulova.
Scarves from AGlamourGirlsCloset(Instagram), Old Navy.

A gorgeous view of the city from Hoboken, NJ.

A little festive-ness near Radio City Music Hall.
We creeped around this hotel for some warmth and a photo op!
Coat, Burberry (borrowed from the boyfriend’s generous Grandma!)
Sorel boots, Old Navy skinnies, Old Navy bucket bag.

My Inglot goodies!
Slim Gel Lipstick in No. 56
Freedom Eyeshadow in No. 413 Pearl
Body Pigment Powder Pearl in No.39

One of my walking-around outfits. I do believe it was 28 degrees when we left the hotel the morning I took this!
Scarf – Old Navy
Cable knit sweater – vintage
Black skinnies – Old Navy
Sneakers – New Balance

Myself, Mark and Mark’s brother, Jack, at the incredibly inventive restaurant/gourmet grocery store hybrid, Eatily. I LOVED the concept of different little stations for crudo, vegetables, paninis, etc. Given the option by such courteous gentleman, I chose the crudo station. Succccch a good decision.

Fresh tuna wrapped in roasted red pepper with kalamata olives and olive oil (one of many awesome small plates we sampled.)

This trip, my first to New York, was one of the most special and meaningful trips I’ve ever been on. Spending time with the family of the love of my life and seeing how everyone comes together with love and support… Touched my heart. I can’t wait to go back to experience more of all that New York has to offer.